Kansas State Boosts Electronics Education with Fiber Optic Breakthrough

Traditional physics laboratories often confine students to verifying well-established theories through repetitive experiments. This approach leaves little room for applying knowledge to real-world engineering challenges. Kansas State University's Physical Measurements and Instrumentation (PMI) course addresses this gap by transforming how electronics and instrumentation are taught.

The PMI course integrates electronics, instrumentation, and LabVIEW programming into hands-on experiments that solve actual measurement challenges. One standout project involves measuring the speed of light through fiber optic cables—a demonstration that encapsulates the program's innovative approach.

In this experiment, students use NI ELVIS development boards to generate square wave signals that drive laser diodes. The setup includes:

• A primary laser diode emitting light pulses through 2 km of telecom-grade fiber
• Two photodiodes detecting the initial and transmitted pulses
• Precision timing measurements between detection events

Using LabVIEW software at 1.25 MS/s sampling rates, students recorded an average time difference of 10.16 microseconds between photodiode signals. Parallel measurements with a Tektronix TDS 210 oscilloscope showed 10.05 microseconds, validating the methodology. These measurements yielded a calculated light speed of 2.054 × 10 ⁸ m/s through the fiber, corresponding to a refractive index of 1.4606—consistent with industry standards.

The fiber optics experiment exemplifies the course's multidimensional learning outcomes:

• Advanced LabVIEW programming for data acquisition and analysis
• Circuit design on NI ELVIS prototyping boards
• Statistical evaluation of measurement uncertainty
• Exploration of timing methods including Schmitt triggers and counter-timers

The PMI curriculum continues to evolve with new investigations under development:

• Photoelectric effect studies
• Franck-Hertz experiment implementations
• X-ray spectroscopy applications
• Saturation absorption techniques
• Mössbauer effect measurements

These projects aim to bridge theoretical physics with practical instrumentation design, preparing students for complex engineering challenges. Future enhancements will incorporate additional data acquisition technologies, including sample-and-hold circuits and advanced timing systems.

The university has initiated longitudinal studies to evaluate the program's effectiveness in achieving its learning objectives. This research will inform continuous improvements to the curriculum's structure and delivery methods, ensuring alignment with industry requirements.

By combining rigorous theory with hands-on instrumentation development, Kansas State University's PMI course establishes a new paradigm for engineering education—one that equips students with both the technical proficiency and problem-solving mindset needed in modern technological fields.